Lockdown may end today

The U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth remained on lockdown status Tuesday. But the lockdown could end as early as today, a prison spokesman said.

John Richmeier

The U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth remained on lockdown status Tuesday. But the lockdown could end as early as today, a prison spokesman said.

“It’s looking favorable,” Thomas Sheldrake, public information officer for the USP, said Tuesday.

He said as it stood Tuesday afternoon, USP officials were planning a delayed work call this morning for inmates, which would result in a return to normal operations. But he said the plan could change if something happened Tuesday night.

The prison was placed on lockdown at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday following a fight earlier in the day on the recreation yard and a subsequent fight in one of the housing units.

A couple of inmates received minor injuries and were treated by medical staff at the USP. No employees were injured.

Sheldrake said officials have confirmed the initial fight was sparked by what he called a disrespect issue over a basketball game. He said the later fight was in retribution.

“It was pretty isolated,” he said.

He said the people involved have been placed in the prison’s special housing unit pending an investigation and disciplinary action.

Inmates initially were not allowed to leave their cells during the lockdown. They were allowed to leave their cells Tuesday but were restricted to their housing units. Sheldrake said this allowed inmates to make phone calls, send emails and shower.

Sheldrake said the warden visited each housing unit Tuesday morning and outlined what inmates could anticipate.

The lockdown has impacted only the main prison. The neighboring camp has maintained normal operations, according to Sheldrake.

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